WHO VOLUNTEERS?
Volunteering has offered an opportunity to use some of my skills to be helpful. The primary reward has been working with such a caring staff and board members. I have already learned a lot about the problems for the families and the incarcerated.”
– Former Board President Marilyn Graves, Executive Director, Retired, AbilityFirst (formerly Crippled Children’s Society of Southern California)
I became a volunteer after learning about Friends Outside through the League of Women Voters. Friends Outside people are the best. Most important to me is getting to know people as real human beings who I would not have known otherwise, our clients, a great experience through the years.”
– Jail Visitor Bea Wolfe, Housewife
I became a volunteer for Friends Outside because you help so many people turn their lives around and break the cycle of incarceration. The primary reward is the gratitude of those who have been served by our organization.”
– Board Member Fr. George Horan, Co-Director, and Office of Restorative Justice, Catholic Archdiocese of LA
I became a volunteer after taking a class and discovering that (jail visiting) was something I liked. It helped me get my college degree and I pursued a new career. The biggest reward was helping an inmate reunify with his parents and get back to school.”
– Jail Visitor Richard Shilling, Ramsey-Shilling Realtors
I became a volunteer with Friends Outside as I knew the organization had an outstanding reputation and it seemed a natural progression for a retired public defender to continue to serve the same community. My primary reward for serving is several fold. I have gotten to know a board and staff of extremely dedicated people. (And) I have been able to utilize my experiences within the legal system.”
– Board Member Bruce Hoffman, Alternate Public Defender, Retired
I have always been attracted to non-traditional projects and Friends Outside seemed to reach the most marginalized of those persons who definitely are non-traditional.”
– Anonymous
We get very excited about people who achieve great success in our society but I think we also have to take responsibility for our failures. I am rewarded by providing humanity to persons in inhumane circumstances.”
– Jail Visitor and Board Member Roger Wood, Retired Episcopalian Priest